The Carolina Panthers had an eventful first day of free agency. The team had several holes to fill – with the most glaring being on the defensive side of the ball where the team was historically bad last season. General manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales were very clear that stopping the run would be an offseason priority and that’s exactly where they focused their attention Monday. Here’s a recap of the day:
Additions:
Jaycee Horn
The Panthers made Jaycee Horn the highest paid cornerback in the league – signing him to a four-year extension worth $100 million, including $70 guaranteed. Retaining their secondary leader and lock-down corner was never in question.
Tre’von Moehrig
A source told me during the NFL Combine that the Panthers were interested in former Raiders safety Tre’von Moehrig. They made good on that, agreeing to a three-year, $51 million deal. Moehrig had the best season of his career in 2024, finishing with 104 tackles, 10 passes defended, 13 quarterback pressures and three quarterback hits.
Patrick Jones II
The Panthers reached an agreement with former Vikings defensive end Patrick Jones II. Jones had seven sacks last season as a rotational player who got limited snaps. The two-year deal is worth up to $20 million.
Bobby Brown III
“Every Little Step” the Panthers made during free agency was on the defensive sided of the ball and they got Derrick Brown help in the trenches with the addition of former Rams’ defensive tackle Bobby Brown III. Brown’s strength has been as a run stopper, but he’s been vocal on social media that there’s more to his game. BBIII finished the 2024 season with 44 tackles and one tackle for a loss in 16 games. Brown’s deal is reportedly three years, $21 million.
Tershawn Wharton
Coming off his best season as a undrafted free agent out of Missouri S&T, former Kansas City Chief Tershawn Wharten agreed to a three-year $54 deal with the Panthers. In ten games started last year, Wharton had a career best 6.5 sacks.
Mike Jackson
In their final move of the day, Carolina brought back cornerback Mike Jackson on a reported two-year $14.5 million contract. Jackson took over the starting cornerback job opposite Jaycee Horn after Dane Jackson was injured during training camp and never looked back. He ended the season strong, finishing the year with 76 tackles and two interceptions.
The Switch Up
Dan Morgan made a strong push to acquire former Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams. There were even reports that the two reached an agreement, but ultimately the New England Patriots made an offer that the Panthers were not willing to match. Landing Williams to pair with Derrick Brown would’ve been HUGE for Carolina, but matching what the Patriots offered would’ve cost the Panthers upwards of $104 million – making him the highest paid defensive player on the team. It was a price the Panthers simply weren’t willing to pay. On the flip side, not shelling out all of that cash on one guy allowed Carolina to pay multiple defensive players with lots upside potential, either of whom could emerge as the perfect compliment to Brown while giving Carolina depth in the trenches.
Defense. Defense. Defense.
Much like last offseason when Carolina added key pieces to the offensive line, the Panthers’ mission was clear, get stronger where they’re the weakest. But just because the Panthers went heavy on defense on day one, doesn’t mean they won’t try to shore up other areas of need in the coming days. Expect the Panthers to make a push to add another solid depth piece at linebacker and maybe even add another weapon for Bryce Young at wide receiver.
Buckle up. There’s stiill a ways to go.
